Supply module for supplying an effector system and effector system with a supply module

Abstract

A supply module for supplying a weapon system includes an electric storage device and a thermal storage device that stores coolant. The supply module also includes at least one electrical connection via which power can be transferred from the electric storage device to the effector system, and at least one thermal connection via which the coolant can be transferred from the thermal storage device to the effector system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A supply module for supplying a weapon system, comprising:
 an electric storage device within a housing that is receivable by a receiving device coupled to the weapon system, wherein the electric storage device stores electric energy that powers the weapon system, and wherein the weapon system is not powered by an electric generator; 
 a thermal storage tank within the housing, wherein the thermal storage tank stores a coolant; 
 at least one electrical connection between the electric storage device and the weapon system, wherein the at least one electrical connection is configured to transfer the electric energy from the electric storage device to the weapon system, and wherein the at least one electrical connection is established via at least one electric coupling element; and 
 at least one thermal connection between the thermal storage tank and the weapon system, wherein the at least one thermal connection is established via at least one thermal coupling element, and wherein the at least one thermal connection is configured to transfer coolant from the thermal storage tank to the weapon system, 
 wherein the supply module is interchangeable, and 
 wherein the at least one electric coupling element and the at least one thermal coupling element are provided by a receiving device of the weapon system, which is configured to receive the interchangeable supply module via the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection or the thermal connection comprises a quick coupler. 
     
     
       3. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the electric storage device has a specific power of at least 1000 W/kg. 
     
     
       4. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the electric storage device has a specific power of at least 3000 W/kg. 
     
     
       5. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the electric storage device has a specific energy of at least 100 Wh/kg. 
     
     
       6. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the electric storage device has a specific energy of at least 120 Wh/kg. 
     
     
       7. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the electric storage device is configured to ensure a sustained supply of power to the weapon system for an operating time of at least 100 seconds. 
     
     
       8. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the electric storage device is configured to ensure a sustained supply of power to the weapon system for an operating time of at least 150 seconds. 
     
     
       9. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the electric storage device comprises lithium-iron phosphate rechargeable batteries. 
     
     
       10. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal storage tank comprises a latent heat accumulator. 
     
     
       11. The supply module of  claim 10 , wherein the coolant has a latent heat capacity of at least 20 kJ/kg. 
     
     
       12. The supply module of  claim 10 , wherein the coolant has a latent heat capacity of at least 40 kJ/kg. 
     
     
       13. A system, comprising:
 a laser weapon system; 
 at least one interchangeable supply module, which comprises:
 an electric storage device within a housing that is receivable by at least one receiving device, wherein the electric storage device stores electric energy that powers the weapon system, and wherein the weapon system is not powered by an electric generator; 
 a thermal storage tank within the housing, wherein the thermal storage tank stores a coolant; 
 at least one electrical connection between the electric storage device and the weapon system, wherein the at least one electrical connection is configured to transfer the electric energy from the electric storage device to the laser weapon system; 
 at least one thermal connection between the thermal storage tank and the weapon system, wherein the at least one thermal connection is configured to transfer coolant from the thermal storage tank to the laser weapon system; and 
 
 the at least one receiving device, which is rigidly connected to the weapon system, 
 wherein the receiving device is provided with at least one electric coupling element to establish the at least one electrical connection and with at least one thermal coupling element to establish the at least one thermal connection, and 
 wherein the at least one interchangeable supply module is configured so that it can be introduced into the at least one receiving device in order to supply the weapon system with electric power and with coolant from the supply module. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a crane, wherein the at least one interchangeable supply module is configured so that it can be introduced into the receiving device or removed from the at least one receiving device by the crane. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the system comprises a second receiving device, wherein the system is configured so that the laser weapon system can be switchable supplied by the at least one and second receiving devices, which allows the laser weapon system to be operated continuously. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a platform, wherein the platform is a mobile platform and the laser weapon system and the at least one receiving device are mounted on the platform. 
 
     
     
       17. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has an interior volume of approximately 0.29 cubic meters. 
     
     
       18. The supply module of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the supply module is approximately 170 kilograms. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the housing has an interior volume of approximately 0.29 cubic meters. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the weight of the supply module is approximately 170 kilograms.